Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Makes Michael Conforto Announcement Before Padres Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joshua Valdez | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 9:12 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto is usually a serviceable hitter, but that has not been the case this season. The 32-year-old is slashing .168/.305/.277 with four homers and 13 RBI through 65 games thus far, well below the "Mendoza Line" .200 batting average.

Conforto, who debuted in 2015, owns a career slash line of .246/.345/.446 while averaging 17 homers and 53 RBI over 108 games. The former All-Star signed a one-year, $17 million contract with Los Angeles after spending the last two seasons with the San Francisco Giants.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed a change regarding Conforto before Wednesday's bout with the San Diego Padres, via The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.

"Dave Roberts said Michael Conforto is sitting tonight as a reset of sorts," he reported. "TBD if he will be in there tomorrow."

"Said that while Conforto will continue to play a good amount, Hyeseong Kim has earned more opportunities," he continued.

In non-Lakers news, Dave Roberts said Michael Conforto is sitting tonight as a reset of sorts. TBD if he will be in there tomorrow. Said that while Conforto will continue to play a good amount, Hyeseong Kim has earned more opportunities.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 18, 2025

Kim, a 26-year-old rookie, is slashing .382/.425/.544 with two homers and 11 RBI over 30 games. The second baseman/shortstop/center fielder signed a three-year, $12.5 million deal with the Dodgers in January after eight seasons in South Korea's KBO League. He won four KBO Gold Gloves and led the league in stolen bases in 2021.

Los Angeles has won four straight games and is 7-3 in its last 10. It's 3.5 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants atop the NL East.

Right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan (4-1, 4.92 ERA) will start for the Dodgers on Wednesday against Padres right-hander Stephen Kolek (3-2, 3.50 ERA).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: